Ring binder



May 4, 1943. w. L. SPARKS RING BINDER Filed Jan 26, 1943 CMIYAWENTOR.

Patented May 4, 1943 UNHTED STATES PATENT ()FFICE RING BINDER William L.Sparks, Hartsdale, N. Y.

Application January 26, 1943, Serial No. 473,585

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in ring binders for loose leafbooks and the object of the invention is to provide a ring binderembodying novel means for preventing accidental pulling apart of the twohalves of the rings and to provide a novel and improved constructionassuring complete closure of the rings because of the novel design ofthe ring bases and whereby other means such as springs, levers, slidesor the like are unnecessary. In the accompanying drawing illustratingthe invention Fig. 1 is a plan view of the ring binder in position in abook and with parts broken away.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig.1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end view showing a modification.

The binder comprises a base 5 which is secured to the back 6 of the book1, l in any suitable usual manner. For example rivets as indicated at 8in Fig. 2 may be used. The rings are as usual split in two semicircularsections. The section or portion I is suitably secured to the base bymolding, soldering or otherwise depending upon the material used. Thering portions Ill are therefore fixed portions. The other ring portionsII are secured to a blade M which is pivoted to the fixed base 5 at [5.The fixed base has a slot I6 inclined at an angle upwardly and outwardlyfrom the center of the base and the blade I4 is adapted to lie withinthis slot when the binder is closed and to be swung outward therefromwhen the binder is opened as will be understood. The slot is wider thanthe blade l4 so that as the blade is swung into the slot to close thebinder the blade is stopped in its movement by the engagement of thering ends I! with the ring ends I8. In other words the rings are closedbefore the blade reaches the bottom of the slot. The base is cut out asat to accommodate the ring portions II when the binder is closed. Theblade has a finger piece at 22 to be gripped in operating the blade. Theupper surface 25 of the base may be inclined as shown or it may be aplane surface.

The inclined slot H5 in the base is the distinguishing feature of theinvention and is the means for keeping the rings closed againstaccidental opening. Were this slot horizontal or perpendicular to theforce which tends to open the binder accidentally, the blade would slideout easily to the side and the binder thus would be opened. The inclinedposition of the movable ring base acts to resist such horizontal outwardpull or tendency to open. Particularly when the book is open and oneside may hang down or be downwardly inclined, for example at the edge ofa table, the advantage of the inclined blade becomes obvious because thepull of the leaves, not shown, naturally tends to move the rings in thedirection of the arrow 26 in Fig. 2 and this tendency is resisted by theinclined blade.

In use the blade I4 is swung to one side as shown dotted in Fig. 1 andthe leaves placed upon the rings. Then the blade is swung back into theslot [6 and when the two sections of the rings meet and engage thebinder is closed. Preferably the blade fits within the slot with a snugfit. 'It has been found that the rings engage and stay closed Withoutany further means for this purpose.

Fig. 3 shows a modification in which the fixed ring support is made froma strip of material 36 which is bent and folded to form an inclined slot3| between itself and the base part 32. The several parts of the bindermay be made of any suitable material, metal or non-metal. The binderaccording to this invention ofiers marked advantages over other bindersin that when the blade is swung open the leaves are easily placed uponthe rings or removed therefrom. Because of the inclined position of theblade M the tendency of the rings to slide out of the holes in theleaves is resisted and accidental removal or opening is prevented.

I claim:

1. In a ring binder a fixed base and a plurality of spaced binder ringseach of which is divided into two semicircular sections, a blade pivotedon said base and adapted to be swung outwardly therefrom to open thebinder rings and inwardly towards said base to close the binder rings,means for immovably securing the one half sections of said rings to thesaid base, means for immovably securing the other half sections of saidrings to the said blade, a longitudinal slot in the base adapted toreceive and contain said blade when the said rings are closed, said slotbeing inclined upwardly and outwardly from the center of the base,whereby to maintain the rings in closed relation and resist accidentalopening of said rings.

2. A ring binder according to claim 1 including means for pivoting thesaid blade on said base at one end thereof within the said inclined slotin the base, said slot extending the entire length of the base.

WILLIAM L. SPARKS.

